Doing Good Great

This is the story of how Geneva Global and its CEO, Doug Balfour, have determined the critical keys to performance philanthropy, helping donors bring head and heart together into Doing Good Great.

About the Book

Drawing on more than twenty-five years of firsthand experience working with those in need as well as his business background, Doug has helped shape how philanthropy can be more impactful.

Doing Good Great: An Insider’s Guide to Getting the Most out of Your Philanthropic Journey begins with stories of Doug’s personal journey toward philanthropy and then explains—through more stories and examples—eight essential pillars that form the basis of purposeful, effective philanthropy.

Get a Free Preview

Newly released in 2017 with an all-new introduction and afterword!

The abridged digital version of Doug’s book includes engaging photos of his on-the-ground experiences, helpful artistic illustrations, and enlightening marginal notes that outline Doug’s systems-change approach to philanthropy.

Get a Free Preview

Newly released in 2017 with an all-new introduction and afterword!

The abridged digital version of Doug’s book includes engaging photos of his on-the-ground experiences, helpful artistic illustrations, and enlightening marginal notes that outline Doug’s systems-change approach to philanthropy.

In His Own Words

With an insider's knowledge of the complexity of international development, and a proven understanding of successful business, Doug has been uniquely positioned to help bring the two worlds together to achieve more.

In this video, Doug explains why he wrote Doing Good Great and what readers can expect.

The 8 Pillars of Performance Philanthropy

Investment Thinking

We need to be more businesslike in our approach to doing good, bringing head and heart together. Why be satisfied with less return for what you give to a charity than you would in giving the same amount to a broker?

Methodical Measuring

If you don’t count and evaluate what you are doing, you can never know how effective you are or how much more you could achieve. You need to ask hard questions of the people who want to use your money.

Successful Failing

The world is only getting more complex, and we can’t solve today’s problems with yesterday’s answers. That requires innovation and creativity, the willingness to try new things, and the ability to learn from mistakes and adapt.

Local Implementing

With a few exceptions, most effective development work is done by organizations that are rooted and established in the communities they are serving—more so than by even the most willing outsiders.

Strategic Planning

A lot of development work is based on “silo” thinking: looking at situations in single-issue terms. But so many issues are complex, interwoven, and need to be approached from multiple angles to achieve a real tipping point for positive change.

Deliberate Multiplying

Help for today is vital, but what can be done to ensure the same problem doesn’t pop up again tomorrow or next door? We must look for ways to further leverage all that we are doing.

Active Collaborating

The combined total can be greater than the sum of the individual parts. By deliberately bringing implementers and donors together in partnership ventures, it is possible to set and achieve bigger goals.

Forward Looking

As much as we have developed some firm convictions about how to do good better, we recognize that it is important to remain open to change as cultural and technological shifts impact the world, its needs, and the possible solutions.

Praise for the Book

“In Doing Good Great, Doug Balfour provides numerous examples from around the globe that demonstrate how supporting and cultivating local innovation and growth is essential for poverty alleviation. I have personally witnessed and advocated for the powerful effect that investments in local communities can have within a region, and it is my great hope that this book is not only read, but that its ideas are applied, resulting in a global collaborative effort that produces sustainable change.”

John A. KufuorFormer President|Republic of Ghana

“Working out how to do philanthropy in a way that makes a genuine difference is one of the biggest challenges facing the world. Part memoir, part a how-to guide, Balfour has written an engaging, insightful, and practical book on what it takes to be a performance philanthropist.”

Matthew BishopGlobalisation Editor|The Economist

“Doug Balfour’s book not only encourages and inspires readers to move from doing good to doing great, it does something far more important—it illustrates how.”

Katherina M. RosquetaFounding Executive Director|Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania

“Lots of ‘experts’ purport to know how to best use donors’ funds to make a difference to the suffering of the world’s most marginalized communities, but Doug Balfour is the real deal. He combines years of experience on the frontlines of humanitarian crises with an unmatched expertise in working with philanthropists to help them make a real impact with their funds. It’s a powerful combination—and this compelling book shows how it can be done.”

Nick GronoCEO|The Freedom Fund

“Doing Good Great is a highly engaging mix of riveting story and astute analysis, made all the more compelling because of the author’s unique portfolio of experiences in the worlds of business, international development agencies, and private philanthropy. Doug Balfour writes honestly and passionately, and the result is a book I would heartily recommend to experienced development practitioners and philanthropic investors alike.”